Watching some highlights of both Shane Vereen & Stevan Ridley, I'm really high on the two. Shane Vereen has the skill sets of two players that come to my mind and that's Marshall Faulk and Charlie Garner that can make Vereen that one-man (swiss army knife) game changing type back that you could run your entire offense around. Shane Vereen has that shiftyness to evade tacklers, that burst to hit the hole and go, and is a very good receiver out of the backfield. All three of these skill sets is what Marshall Faulk (1994 - 2005) and Charlie Garner (1994 - 2004) had when they played. Anyone that doesn't know who Charlie Garner is, look him up and here is a little taste of how good Garner was: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CixSFswqFtE. Stevan Ridley can be that Kevin Mack/Mike Alstott with a little more shftyness and a little more burst and can also be servicable out of the backfield on pass-plays as well. I'm really excited and can't wait to see these to in action.

They may both be good players in time but I think it's a bit unfair to say that Vereen compares to M. Faulk. I've read it in a few places and nothing like creating expectations that he may no love up to. Read reports where scouts say he compares to Ray Rice as well. I hope he has that kind of potential, but I'll temper my expectations a bit.

I agree with your assessment of Vereen's versatile skill set. Disagree with Ridley's though. Yes he's a power runner with a little shiftyness, but he has hands of stone and has not shown the ability to pass block thus far in camp. Don't see him making a big impact this year for this team.

I have more confiedence in Vereen than Ridley, but they are both rookies in a strike shortened offseason. Give them a year or two before the Faulk/Alstott comparisons.

They may both be good players in time but I think it's a bit unfair to say that Vereen compares to M. Faulk. I've read it in a few places and nothing like creating expectations that he may no love up to. Read reports where scouts say he compares to Ray Rice as well. I hope he has that kind of potential, but I'll temper my expectations a bit. Posted by CablesWyndBairn

I'm not saying he's the next Marshall Faulk or Charlie Garner. I'm saying he has the skill sets of the two.

Calling Vareen a Marshall Faulk type is a bit of a stretch, don't you think? Faulk had legitimate wide receiver skills (not Brandon Tate, but a good one). This guy could run a route, extend and catch the thing in stride and he'sd be gone. He was smart, could run up the middle and never had to come off the field...ever. I saw him barrel right over Ted Johnson when he played for the Colts and then keep going 5 yards for a touchdown, leveling someone else on the way.

I remember Garner being tall or maybe he was a bit up right...he could flat out fly. I don't remember him being an outstanding receiver or runner, more like a home run guy, who had a couple good years. That sound right? Vareen looks like he can be very versatile, I'd like to see him be more like a Westbrook type of guy... very good all around player that can hurt you in a lot of ways. He's got a similar build. Who knows? I just hope he's not seriously hurt.

I do not expect Vereen to be All World but I have been saying since before the draft that Vereen will be a very good, very solid feature back with very good pass catching skills. He doesn't have the top gear of the real burners in this league but he is both quick and fast enough to keep the D more honest than they have had to be with the Pats.

Once he has learned the O and if he does not develop a fumbling problem I expect he will generate 1200 to 1300 yards on the ground. He may not get enough touches in his rookie year to do that. I also expect he will be spelled on occassion by a third down back (occassionally, not all the time) and likely by a short yardage back as there is little need to over use him.

If they end up making him a real work horse rather than keeping him fresh so he is also available and healthy for the playoffs then he could, in a healthy year generate 1300 to perhaps maybe 1500 yards in a season.